Since their launch in 1999 Serato have cemented themselves as one of the world's premier developers of audio software. Over the past 25 years they have grown a community of millions of users in over 190 countries, starting with the release of their revolutionary Pitch ‘n Time plugin in 1999, Serato have gone from strength to strength with a steady stream of innovations and development for DJ’s, producers and music lovers alike.
While Serato have become synonymous with DJ software the company have come full circle over the past few years with their return to production software/plugins. In 2017 Serato launched their Sample plugin, a high-quality sampling plugin allowing producers to find, chop, time-stretch and key shift their samples while retaining studio-grade sound, all made possible using the power of Pitch ‘n Time. Building on the success of their Sample plugin the company expanded on their production focussed software packages in June 2019 with the release of Serato Studio. An intuitive beat making software which packs advanced production functionality into a familiar, DJ-friendly workflow.
In late 2024 Serato continued building on their range of production focussed tools with the launch of their all new FX plugin, HEX. HEX FX is a multi effect plugin that works as both an AU & VST3 and is compatible with a range of DAW’s including Ableton and Logic Pro X. HEX FX gives users access to over 45 different effects and 100 unique presets designed in collaboration with some of the world's best known producers/sound designers from Disclosure’s Guy Lawrence (watch out for the Howard's Beard preset) to Moonchild's Amber Navran.
HEX also enables users to build their own effects chains of up to 6 plugin effects which can be completely customized manually to the users taste (simply hit the not so obvious "Params" button for config options across the modules) or by using the inbuilt randomise button to create random chains of effects that can be saved for later. Once you have created an FX chain or picked a preset, all 6 of the individual effects are linked to the HEX knob at the centre of the plugin which can be used to manipulate the overall effect as well as individual parameters which can be tweaked separately and then linked back to the group for global control using the HEX knob. Each individual effect can be punched in or out by hitting the colour coded button - great for performance style FX transitions or edits.
Overall, HEX FX is a versatile production tool which could be used by experienced producers and beginners alike thanks to its simplistic design but intuitive user interface. The range of in-built effects makes HEX great for a huge range of production applications from simple mix downs using the saturation and compression effects to more advanced sound design using the inbuilt modulation and spatial effects.
